Smith, Jonathan Bayard, 1742-1812

Jonathan Bayard Smith (February 21, 1742 – June 16, 1812) was a merchant and a Founding Father of the United States from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He served as a delegate for Pennsylvania to the Continental Congress in 1777 and 1778, where he signed the Articles of Confederation.

Born in Philadelphia, Smith received an English education before graduating from Princeton in 1760 and joining his father in the mercantile business. Smith became a member of the local Committee of Safety, and in 1775 was made its secretary. He was elected a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1777, serving from April 4 of that year until November 1778. While in Congress, Smith endorsed the Articles of Confederation for Pennsylvania. He resigned from the Continental Congress to assist in the defense of Philadelphia in 1778. Having advocated taking up arms (a sometimes unpopular stance in largely Quaker Pennsylvania) he also joined the militia, becoming a lieutenant colonel of John Bayard's regiment and serving in the Brandywine campaign.

After his congressional career, Smith returned his attention to business, but remained active in civic affairs. In 1778 he became a member of the Court of Common Pleas. He became a great promoter of education, and in 1779 was one of the founders and a trustee of the "University of the State of Pennsylvania". In 1795, when it merged with two other schools to become the University of Pennsylvania, Smith became a trustee of the new school, serving until his death. He also served as a trustee for his alma mater, Princeton, for thirty years. From 1792 to 1794, he served on the board of aldermen of Philadelphia. Smith died at his residence in Philadelphia and was buried in the Second Presbyterian Church Graveyard. In 1867, his remains were reinterred to Mount Vernon Cemetery.